Today is Musicians Making A Difference Day, the annual charity awareness day using the power of music and community to reach and uplift young people facing adversity.
Australian youth charity Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) is calling on artists and music fans to dedicate a song and positive message on social media.
With suicide still the leading cause of death for young people, over 26,400 reports of child abuse & neglect every year, 27,680 young people homeless on any given night, and 1 in 10 young people disengaged from employment or education, the charity is hoping to connect young people through the power of music by getting the Australian community to dedicate a song on social media with #ThisSongIsForYou and tag @mmadaustralia, or to dedicate a music-themed event in support of the cause.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
By helping to raise awareness for the charity, thousands of young people across the country will be connected to the charity’s support including a free national creative youth wellbeing platform, street support groups, crisis casework, expressive therapy programs and a music soup kitchen.
Spearheading dedications are local and global stars YUNGBLUD, Jessia, Ryan Tedder, Lewis Capaldi, Bliss N Eso, Tove Lo, Vera Blue, L-FRESH The LION, Thandi Phoenix, KYE, Melanie Dyer, Hau, Robinson, Tom Grennan, Jimmie Allen, Avneesha, Benny Blanco, Fletcher Pilon & CXLOE.
To bolster song dedications, industry heavyweights Universal Music Australia, ARN, iHeart, CADA, UnLtd, Pedestrian, Yahoo, Paramount, MTV, Sony Music, Sony Foundation, Rock Posters, Twitter, Spotify, Bravado, Kaimera, Nine Entertainment Co, Seven West Media, Val Morgan, Southern Cross Austereo, oOh!, SCA, Kargo, JCDecaux, Gumtree Media, Motio, News Corp, QMS and more have thrown their support behind the campaign.
Australia wide MMAD Day pop-ups, a curated pop-up station on iHeart, music features on MMAD Day on all ARN stations nationally, MTV Hits programming takeover and a series of inspirational live music interviews hosted by Danny Clayton on @mmadaustralia IGTV will also help to bring the power of music & community to life across the day.
Chairperson of Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) Geraint Davies is encouraging everyone to consider young people most vulnerable in our community, and to use their sphere of influence, and music, to help make a difference.
“Last year, MMAD Day reached an outstanding 13 million people nationally and connected 13,000 people to the charity as a direct result of this campaign, and this year we hope to do it all again! MMAD makes such a critical impact in young people’s lives and the community through music every day, but this day is an absolute highlight of our year – everyone involved can experience the positive impact that MMAD makes. We’re thankful for those who get behind the cause and take the time to support the campaign online, in their place of work, school or homes. Every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential. We look forward to your support again for MMAD Day on October 14″.
Released this week and setting off a chain of song dedications is a track written with graduates of the charity’s youth mentoring programs including emerging talent Libby Ingels. Ingels says the song is dedicated to anyone in the world feeling powerless.
“I came across MMAD when I was at a really difficult place in my life. A pivotal time in my life, you know, where I did feel a bit lost. MMAD helped me to believe in myself and grab hold of the opportunities in front of me. Whether it be listening to music or getting to write a song. I think just being able to express yourself, and feel seen in that moment, wherever you are, is such a powerful thing and, has definitely impacted my life. It is because of MMAD that I can get up after falling down. And even in my lowest of low places, there is always hope. And there is always music.”
‘Taking Back My Life’ was written to a beat donated by ARIA-nominated electronic producer Alice Ivy and recorded at the iconic The Grove Studios near the charity’s creative youth safe haven on the NSW Central Coast.
For more information about MMAD or MMAD Day, visit mmad.org.au.
If you need emergency support, please contact 000.
